Hello from the Smithsonian Latino Center

Hi all, 

It is hard to believe that we are entering the final week of the 2016 Young Ambassadors Program. It has been a really busy and exciting summer for all. First of all, I wanted to start off by saying it has been heartwarming to read your blogs the past few weeks.  As some of you might know, I have been away from the office for a good part of July due to surgery and recovery. However, reading your summer experiences and seeing how engaged you have been with your local communities and in your internships has given me great joy during this time.

I hope that you have had a wonderful experience. As I have been reading through the journal blogs every week, it appears that each one of you have a unique and yet occasionally shared experience. One of learning, of personal and professional growth, and of challenging yourself to do something new. Each post allows us to see all the contributions that each one of you are making to your communities and your museums. I have heard nothing but wonderful compliments about all. 

As we wind down the summer program (and it has only been five weeks...can you believe it), I hope you are able to take your lessons learned and apply them to your next journey (and take us with you on that journey :) 

Second of all,  for a few logistics items: 

1. there will be an evaluation online survey coming your way in the next few weeks. Please respond to this survey as it helps develop the future directions of YAP programming. 
2. Please send Adan, Jessica, and Alana any final information so that we can finalize this year’s program.  
3. Please join our alumni network activities...we look forward to seeing you at future events. 
4. Finally, in true YAP fashion...think of it as the debrief of the day...if you can please comment to this post with your top four words or short phrase that describe your YAP experience ( first word related to the internship, second word related to the outreach, third word related to skills you have learned and the final word related to the big picture, overall experience and take away) 


Lastly, I started this tradition a couple years back now...and I thought to continue the tradition...building upon last year's list. As I look back to my first week as a freshman in college (seems like just yesterday and yet its been a very long time), there are so many things I wish I knew then that hopefully, these past few weeks have become part of your list of knowledge, here are just 17 things that I wish I knew then, things like:

1. On time is actually early (which I totally still struggle with), or
2. You can never have enough notes for that random midterm that you are studying for until 3:00 am, or
3. How to organize yourself in a way that works for you ( I personally love lists and notes...but you know I also get made fun of because I like these lists in notebooks...it’s the satisfaction of crossing something off)
4. Everyone communicates differently, unlocking the secret to making these conversations effective will be the key to your success, or
5. Friends and friendships are some of the most important investments of time
6. Sayings like this too shall pass become so much more relevant when you have that hard professor that won't give the class a curb on that econ assignment that was just way too hard and so not intro level (so this may have happened to me), or
7. It's ok that I am still learning and that I make mistakes (embracing this is something which again I am still very much practicing), or
8. Take in every moment, every experience, every ahh moment, every uh-oh moment, because there is always something to learn, or
9. Be true to yourself, who you are, where you come from, what you stand for, because that makes you the unique individual that people will want to connect to, or
10. Remember to give back, pay it forward, help someone today and they will help you tomorrow, or
11. Remember, that this is just the beginning of this new chapter in your life, fill it with stories, memories, and incredible experiences, or
12. Remember...Blessed are those that are flexible for they shall never be bent out of shape (this one I am borrowing from my professional coach) or
13. Self-care is very important...sometimes you really want to go to that dinner and movie but what you should really do is sleep...believe me...the movie will still be there but sleep will not. 
14. Remember, learning and transformation happens when you push yourself to do something new, outside of your comfort zone, or
15. Embrace people from all walks of life and background (I actually was very involved with the international group on campus and was able to meet so many people and just listening to each other speak in all our languages as eye-opening), we all have a story and it is unique, but we can also find similarities in those stories and experiences; we are the human race and we should value all our cultures and experiences, or
16. You can learn from every experience (both good and bad), if we can just take the time to really think about what we learned...we will have golden nuggets of knowledge... finally
17. HAVE FUN!

This year, as every year, is a journey for me, in discovery, in self-reflection, and in growing from learning from you, these 19 remarkable individuals that have made an impact on my life, both personally as well as professionally. Please know that I have learned so much from you, from your incredible capacity to work as a team (which believe me I was taking notes) to your thirst and excitement for knowledge ( I think sometimes we get lost in the paperwork) and you reignited that in me.

Always remember, that we are here as you go along your journey and that you are now part of Nuestra Familia, over 220 people strong and we all can help each other!

Have a fabulous fall semester, keep connected with the alumni network (which Alana will be introducing to you shortly), and you will be hearing from me soon!

Saludos a todos, 

Emily